Musician may miss concert after clarinet theft

A MUSICIAN needs the customised clarinets she has used for 25 years, stolen in a break-in at her home, back in time for a special concert.

Claire Golding, 37, is due to give perform a specially-commission piece of music in front its composer with Southend Wind Band in March.

But thieves stole her two instruments, as well as computer equipment and jewellery, in a burglary at her home in Greensward Lane, Hockley, between 4pm and 9pm on December 8.

Her husband Dan, 42, said: “She’s devastated.

“The music arrived a week before Christmas and the band will be playing it in March for the first time. The composer will be there and she needs it for that.

“To not be able to play in that concert is where the emotional pain comes from.”

Police hope the clarinets, customised by Buffet, will lead them to another burglary in the same street they believe was carried out by the same thieves at the same time.

The second burglary, in which an external hard drive and jewellery were taken, was not discovered until the owners returned home on December 10, but police believe the break-ins happened at the same time.

Rear doors were forced at both properties.

Investigating officer PC Layla Barker said: "Both burglaries have had a profound effect on the victims, especially because items of great sentimental value such as the clarinets and jewellery have been taken.

"The clarinets are custom-made and in a large case that might have looked like a laptop case. It is unusual for musical instruments to be taken and we hope we can find them or anyone who might have been trying to sell them in suspicious circumstances.”

Ipsoregulated

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